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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Few awards,a Tag,some info and just bla BLA bla!!

Let me warn you before hand,there's no recipe to share today.Now before you go "nahiiiiiiii" like a Bollywood heroine,let me assure,I might just add a food pic or a recipe below this post[there..I got you interested,didn't I?]

Its been a while since I did a non-recipe post here[I have too many recipes to share,I guess:)].I have been showered with awards and tagged too by few of my blogger friends and after a slight nudge,[ok,reminder] from one of those,I felt I have to give that sweet gesture its due credit and here I am with an exclusive post just for that:).

22. Give us three styling tips that always work for you:Kajal,lipgloss and a comb..always does wonders..:)

23. Coffee or tea?Coffee..:)

24. What do you do when you are feeling low or terribly depressed?Cry for a while[YES] and then talk it out with hubby[that always works for me],he is my punchbag and counselor..:)

25. What is the meaning of your name?Spiritual..:)

26. Which other blogs you love visiting?Soooooo many to chose..:)

27. Favorite Dessert/Sweet?Chocolate cake with Ice-cream..;)

28. Favorite Season?Rainy season..;)

29.Which is your dream destination?Paris

30.Mandira's additional question-What is the one dish that you have tried and tried and still now managed to get right?

Butter Cookies..any which way I make them-without measuring-I sometimes eyeball the measurements,still it comes out perfect..:)

Some info-

I've been getting lots of mails/scraps regarding information about my baking and the stuff I use.Though I do not consider myself an authority to answer all those questions since I am a beginner baker myself,I feel if my answers help people to start baking effortlessly,then my job is done.

First and foremost - The oven I use- I bake in my IFB Microwave Oven.Initially,I did the baking in the microwave mode,but later on I started baking in the convection mode and I have got perfect results,almost like a normal baking oven.I have heard people say that baking is uneven[esp Cakes] while it is done in the MW,but I have never encountered such a problem.

Baking tins I use- I normally use metal tins for baking.Glass dishes don't work so well while baking in the convection mode.It always helps if you grease and line the pan before baking cakes.

Baking chocolate I use - I have not much experimented with this.I've used them to make chocolate flakes and then recently made ganache,thats all.I use a brand called Marco.It is a cheap alternative to the regular baking chocolates.However,if the recipe requires you to melt the chocolate and all that,best is to go for Morde or Selbourne.

Butter I use - I almost always use Aavin butter[unsalted] for all my baking needs.If not,Amul or even Nilgiris brand of butter works well.But Aavin is better and economical:).

Cream/Whipping cream I use - We only get Amul cream here,so can't much experiment with that one.It is hard to whip Amul to peak stage,but if the climate is cool and you chill the cream,the bowl,beater blades etc,you'll get near perfect results.I recently purchased a whipping cream powder which works like magic.Its hard to go back to Amul:).For ganache however,Amul works best.

Flour & other stuff I use - I use Maida or all purpose flour since self raising flour or cake flour is hard to find here.I use any brand,whichever is available-no brand favorites here.Baking powder is Weikfield and baking soda is a loose packet from Nilgiris-make sure you replace it every month-better if you buy it in small quantities.

Photo editing tool I use - Picasa and always Picasa.I believe I take below-average pics[:)]and I take help from Picasa to make them look appealing.Just google for help on how to use picasa and you'll get each and every info you need.Mail me if you need any more tips..;)

I hope it helps..:)

Now,here is the food pic I tempted you with in the first line.Food pics from a Cooking class I recently attended.I am still to try the recipes at home though..:)

Hi again. Today after reading your post i feel i have a larger bonding with you as u mentioned u live in Chennai. I have lived in Chennai, infact I moved to NCR from there. Aavin, Nilgiris these names make me so nostalgic. I still have my Aavin jar in which now I store my home made Ghee. How fondly I used to shop in Nilgiris at Kasturibai Nagar. Yes, I lived in Adyar very close to Grand sweets and would love eating the Thattai. I loved picking up my veggies from Surya Greens.Enough of my Bla Bla...coming to ur post, it's lovely reading about u and hearty congrats for the well deserved awards. I hope and pray that u get many more.

Congratulations on your awards dear, truly deserving! Interesting meme and truly enjoyed reading the same :) Those are some delicious delicacies you are learing in your cooking classes, waiting for them to be poasted here :)By the way which fresh cream powder you bought? i remember when i was in mumbai we used to get one such powder where you just need to add chilled water or milk and beat it and get amazing results.

Divya u really deserve the award....nd u r a good baker i must say i have tried some of ur cake reipe...but i can nvr say it came as perfect as urs :(....felt happy reading bout ur bla bla vch i never felt was so...nd all those pics r yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......nd tht info was too good :)

I recently chanced upon your blog and have become your follower. You have an awesome collection of recipes. Two things that connect me with you - Me too an Amchi, currently living in Chennai. I am very new to the blogging world. When I read your initial posts where you have mentioned how you would check stats of your blog daily and stuff like that, I can totally understand coz I'm sailing through the same boat. I have registered my in "A Sweet Punch" event and am very excited to be a part of it. Keep up the good work.